(Posted 6:30 a.m., June 22)
Tropical-like weather the star at this year’s Carivibe event
By Fred Sherwin
Orléans Online

A performer at this year's Carivibe event on Petrie Island leads the crowd though some dance moves on Saturday. Fred Sherwin/Photo

For the second year in a row, Ottawa’s annual Carivibe festival was blessed with tropical-like weather on the weekend and the thousands of patrons who ventured to Petrie Island to enjoy the island rhythms and Caribbean fare were the main beneficiaries.

Montreal resident Joseph Williams heard about the event through friends in the Guynayan community. He and his friend Phyllis George, were impressed with both the location and the atmosphere.

“I don’t think they could have picked a better place to have this,” said Williams. “You have the sun, the beach, beautiful women... you can’t ask for more than that. I’m loving it man.”

That type of response brings a smile to the face of Carivibe co-organizer Trevor Mason.

“That’s what it’s all about,” says Mason. “That’s why we do what we do and put in all the hard work, so that the people can have a great time celebrating Caribbean culture. Of course it helps when you blessed with weather like this. It’s just what we ordered.”

Carivibe brings together the best of Caribbean food with traditional music from the islands including Zouk, Soca, Salsa, and Dancehall. And while the action was hot and heavy in the beer garden, the place to be was at the front of the stage among the waving flags representing countries like Jamaica, St. Lucia, Barbados and Domenica.

Simon from Orléans by way of Barbados, has been coming to Carivibe ever since it was moved to Petrie Island from the Rideau-Carleton Raceway in 2008.

“We’ve never missed it. This is the best,” said Simon while taking a break from the dance pit.

Sandra Ferguson is co-owner of Bananas on the Beach, which does a brisk business both inside the Carivibe festival enclosure and at their permanent location beside the lifeguard building.

Despite the long hours spent preparing for the onslaught of hungry Carivibe patrons, she was still smiling after the lunch rush.

“Oh my goodness. It’s been crazy, but it’s been fun. Every-one is in great spirits. The sun is shining. It’s hot, but not too hot. It’s impossible not to have a good time at Carivibe.”

As successful as the event has become, Mason promises next year’s Carivibe will be the biggest and best yet in conjunction with Canada’s 150th birthday, starting with the return of the Carivibe parade which was suspended for logistical reasons three years ago.

The parade will begin at the Orléans Town Centre and wind its way down St-Joseph to Tenth Line Road and then down Tenth Line to North Service Road and the beach.

“A lot of people keep asking about the parade and when it will return and now we can tell them next year,” says Mason.

In the past, the parade has traditionally kicked off the Carivibe festival.

(This story was made possible thanks to their generous support of our local business partners.)

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